“The impact of the war in Ukraine is terrible for Belarusians,” said the UN in Belarus.

Questions about the direct involvement of Belarus in the war in Ukraine almost forget it: “Meanwhile, life and oppression continue in Belarus”, warns Anas Marin, Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in this country. UN in New York In its annual report presented to the General Assembly on Wednesday, October 26, it paints a grim assessment of the situation. The unprecedented crackdown forced thousands of citizens into exile. Home or office searches, arbitrary detentions, criminal proceedings for political reasons, threats to use force, dismissal, psychological pressure… Alexander Lukashenko’s regime uses all means to silence critical voices and force them out.

Then the movement started His re-election in August 2020 was controversial, which sparked historic demonstrations that were brutally suppressed. Today, a new level has been reached: “Power is no longer in the logic of oppression, but of retribution against all who express their dissent”asserts the world Anees Marine. As a sign of the terrorist environment in the country, all testimony collected by the Special Rapporteur must be anonymous. A first.

A massive purge of civil society

Political enemies are the first target in 2020. The repression extended to all professional categories and all social groups: civil society activists, journalists, human rights defenders, lawyers, medical workers, teachers, athletes, artists or administrators of chat groups. For two years, the regime has engaged in a massive and systematic purge of civil society. For example, more than 600 NGOs have been liquidated. “There are only sports clubs, music clubs or NGOs for the disabled”, explains Anas Marin. Members of civil society who remain in the country now have only three options: to remain loyal to the government, to remain inactive, or to operate clandestinely. Others have fled and continue to operate in exile.

To achieve its objectives, the regime has also tightened legislation related to the fight against terrorism and extremism. Those who were held in administrative detention for participating in the 2020 protests have been accused of organizing these protests and are again facing criminal charges, this time. From 29th May, office Exiled opposition leader Svetlana Chiganovskaya Considered a criminal organization and charged with planning or attempting to organize an act of terrorism as an organized gang, a crime punishable by death.

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